PS 3531 
.028 P6 
1917 



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copvi LLY IN HISTORY-LAND 
or Glimpses of Washington 




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Polly in History- Land 



OR, GLIMPSES OF WASHINGTON 



BT 

EDITH F. A. U. PAINTON 

I' 

Author of The Value of X 

Dialogues and Plays for Entertainment Days 

Specialty entertainments for Little Folks 

The Prize essay 




BECKLEY- CARDY COMPANY 
CHICAGO 



P5 353I 



COPYRIGHT 1917 BY BECKI.EY-CARDY COMPANY 



CI.D J8G16 

1^ 



DEC 31 1917 o^D / 



CHAEACTERS 

Polly .A Schoolgirl 

Fancy .A Fairy 

George Washington As Boy 

George Washington As Youth and Man 

Father of Washington Colonial Gentleman 

Martha Washington Wife of Washington 

Marquis de Lafayette French Nobleman 

General *Braddock British Officer 

Chancellor Livingston Clergyman 

Indian, Sentry, Three Ladies, 

Six Men, and Several Boys. 

Note: This play must not he supposed to he an attempt at historical 
representation, for no pains has been taken to make it historically cor- 
rect, that not being the purpose -for luhich it was written. Indeed, in 
many places, the -'facts in the case" have been sacrificed to the scenic 
effect. It is simply a dream, a rendition of 'Tolly in Hi story -Land" if 
you please, and the author asks that you kindly consider it from that 
standpoint alone, and let it furnish yon and i/our audiences the enter- 
tainment for which it was solely created. 



COSTUMES 

Polly : Should wear dark dress and white apron. 

Fancy : Like conventional fairy. Fluffy white dress ; white 
slippers and stockings. Gauz}^ wings ; wand. 

Washington, as Boy: Should be dressed preferably as a 
miniature George Washington. See portraits. 

Washington, as Youth and Man: First as British officer; 
second in Colonial uniform and civilian dress of that 
period. See portraits and copj^ as nearly as possible. 

Father of Washington: Middle-aged man in costume of 
English gentleman of that day. Let costume be of sober 
colors. 

Martha Washington: Follow costume of portraits. Quiet 
colors. 

Lafayette: Uniform of French general. 

Braddock: Uniform of British general. 

Livingston : Clerical robes of Episcopal Church. 

Ladies: Same as Mrs. Washington. 

Indian: Leggins; feather head-dress; war paint. 

Sentry and Soldiers: Knee breeches; waisted coats; three- 
cornered hats. 

BOYS: Same as men. 

Consult historical pictures for all costumes. 



POLLY IN HISTORY-LAND 

ACT I— IN BOYHOOD 

Scene I: A Room 

Polly is discovered seated at desk, with large hook, studying. 

Polly : Oh, dear me ! I will never, never, never learn this 
history lesson, I know I won't. It is too hard for any- 
thing,— that 's what it is ! And Miss White says it ought 
to be just as easy as nothing to learn all about Washington 
because it is his birthday, when we are supposed to think 
about nothing else. Humph ! much she knows about it ! 
Jack says it 's all nonsense to make such a fuss every year 
about "George Birthington's Washday" when mamma 
has a washday every week. He says he hears so much 
about him every year that he almost wishes sometimes 
that he had never had a birthday at all. Of course Jack 's 
a very, very naughty boy to say such things, and I don't 
pay a bit of attention to such — such — treason as that ; but, 
still, who can possibly get up a real live interest in a man 
who lived so many years ago? Of course, we honor him 
for being the Father of Our Country, and all that sort of 
thing. Jack sa3^s the country would have been in a horrid 
mess if it hadn't had any father at all — [giggles] — but, 
dear me ! I suppose I am almost as naughty as he is when 
I repeat the wicked things he says. [Sighs.] I don't 
want to be bad, but when I read over and over again all 
the great things he did, I just can't make it seem any 
more than a fairy tale after all. He just won 't seem real 
to me, no matter how hard I study about him and try to 
make myself feel right — away down in here ! [Hand on 

5 



6 POLLY IN HISTORY-LAND 

heart.] [Rises, yawns, and stretches.] Anyway, I 'm 
too tired, and worn out, and — well, what mamma calls 
fidgety, — to read another word of it now. I 'm just 
going to lie down and rest a little while, and perhaps I 
can do better when I get up. [Lies sofa and closes eyes.] 

Enter Fancy, who goes to hack of sofa and looks down at 

Polly a moment in silence. 
Fancy : 

Poor little girl, you 're tired, I know ; 
Now off to Dreamland quickly go ; 
George Washington, so brave and true, 
I — Fancy — will make real to you. 

[Waves wand over Polly as curtain falls.] 

kSceneII: a Garden. 

Small cherry tree lies on side. The hoy Washington stands, 
holding hatchet and looking at tree ruefully. 

Polly enters Right, after a pause. 

Polly : Who are you, little bo}^ ? and what are you doing ? 
Washington: Don't you know me? I thought everybody 

knew me. Why, I 'm George Washington, and this is my 

birthday. 
Polly : Oh, yes, of course ! How very silly and stupid of 

me to forget so soon ! But, you see, it alwaj^s seems like 

a fairy tale to me. 
Washington : A fairy tale ? Well, it is no fairy tale to me, 

I can assure you. [Sighs.] I only wish it was ! 
Polly: Why? 
Washington: Why, don't you see? This is my father's 

favorite cherry tree, and I 've cut it down. 
Polly : You did ? 
Washington: Yes, I did — all alone — with my new hatchet 

— see? [Shoivs hatchet with childish pride — then remem- 



POLLY IN HISTORY-LAND 7 

hers and sighs.] But I really don't know what father 

will say ! 
Polly : Pshaw ! he may never find out that you did it ! 
Washington : Oh, yes; he will ! He '11 ask. 
Polly: But you don't have to tell him, do you? Just say 

you don't know. 
Washington [surprised and puzzled] : But I do know, you 

see! 
Polly: But what of that? You needn't be such a silly as 

to tell him so ! 
Washington : Why, I can 't tell a lie ! 
Polly: You can't? [Washington shakes head.] Pshaw, 

that 's easy ! / can ! 

Father enters Left. 

Father: Who cut down that cherry tree,— my favorite 
cherry tree? [Polly and George hang heads.] George, 
do yon know? 

Polly [tvhispering to Washington] : Just tell him ''No." 
He '11 believe you. 

Washington [looking up hravely] : Father, I cannot tell a 
lie. I did it myself— with my little hatchet. 

Father [turning away, sadly]: Oh, my son! my son! I 
would rather have had you tell a thousand lies than 
to cut down my best cherry tree ! 

Polly : I 've heard something like that before, it seems to 
me, but it doesn't sound exactly right! 

Father: Th%t 's right, little girl! It doesn't seem to have 
just the right ring to it. [Scratches head, perplexedly.] 
But I declare, I can't straighten it out to save me! 
[Thinks a ynoment.] Well, never mind! If it isn't his- 
torically correct in every word, it is an accurate expres- 
sion of the Twentieth Century code, anyway— so let it 
stand. 

curtain 



8 POLLY IN HISTORY-LAND 

Scene III: The Same, with tree removed. 

Six hoys stand in military attitude, in straight line at left. 
Boy Washington stands in front as captain. 

Polly enters Right. 

Polly : I declare, if there is n 't that same little boy, again ! 
And he doesn't look a bit older. If you please, boy, are 
you George Washington? 

Washington : Of course I am ! But I have n 't time to talk 
to you now. I 'm yery busy. 

Polly : But what are you doing ? 

Washington : Why, can 't you see ? But no — of course not ! 
Girls never can ! I 'm training these boys to be soldiers. 

Polly : Soldiers ? 

Washington: Yes. Don't you think soldiers are fine? My 
brother 's a soldier. 

Polly: Y-e-e-s ! — I suppose so. But they kill folks some- 
times, don't they? 

Washington : Only when they have to ! 

Polly : These are nice looking boys. They don 't look cruel. 

Washington : They 're rather awkward, but I -guess they '11 
learn §ome time. If you '11 keep real quiet, I '11 let you 
stand there and watch us. Think you can ? 

Polly : Oh, yes, I 'm sure I can ! Do let me stay ! 

Washington: Boys, salute! [Boys how to Polly, awk- 
wardly.] Oh, no, no, no! that 's not the way. Give the 
right salute — this way! [Gives military- salute. Boys 
imitate him, very aivkivardly.] Can't you do better than 
that? [They repeat it.] That 's better. 

Polly [howing] : Oh, that 's lovely! It is ever so nice of 
you to treat me so politely. 

Washington [sternly] : Didn't you say you 'd keep quiet? 
Polly : Oh, do please forgive me this time. I forgot ! 
Washington: Yes, girls always do. 



POLLY IN HISTORY-LAND 9 

[Here introduce a simple gun drill, Washington acting 
as captain. Now and then he should make them go 
through with some of the motions. (See Act II.) 
When all is over, he turns to Polly.] 

They do very well for beginners, I think. How do you 
like it 1 
Polly : Oh, it was fine, — simply fine ! And I think you are 

just wonderful ! 
Washington [straightening himself up proudly] : I 'm 

George Washington ! 

[Boys cluster around him, kneel on one knee, and present 
arms. Polly hows low to him as curtain falls.] 



ACT II— IN WAR 

Scene I : A Battlefield. 

Six soldiers in line at left, firing off right, aiming very care- 
fully. Just a few steps in front of line stands General 
Braddock, commanding them. He walks back and forth, 
saying a word, here and there, between firing. Firing is 
continually heard off right, as if from the enemy. Wash- 
ington kneels on one knee, aiming to right. He also is 
slightly in advance of the six. 

Braddock: Let everyone pick his man, and aim carefully. 
Shoot, and shoot to kill. Remember, it is now a life and 
death question with each one of us. Ready now ! — kneel — 
aim — fire ! 

[All fire. Second Soldier and Fifth Soldier falL 
Washington calmly aims again. The others appear 
greatly excited and frightened, and stare at him, 
amazed at his calm7iess.] 

Polly enters at back of stage, looking puzzled. 

Polly : I thought I heard somebody shooting. I wonder if 
it was in this direction. Why, what can this be? It 
must be a battle — a regular, real live battle. Oh, dear 
me ! I never thought that war was half so horrible 
as this! And that lieutenant there looks just like 
Washington. 

Braddock: Stand back, girl! Don't get in our way now! 
Ready — kneel — aim — fire ! 

[They fire again. First Soldier and Third Soldier fall. 
Polly stands at the center entrance, ivatching with 
horror-stricken face, yet fascinated by the scene.] 
10 



POLLY IN HISTORY-LAND 11 

Polly: Oh — I remember now! That is General Braddock. 
I knew he looked like some picture I had seen, but 
couldn't just place him before; but it certainly is he, for 
he looks just like that picture of him in my history. So 
this must be — why, of course! We had " Braddock 's 
Defeat" in our lesson just the other day, but somehow 
I could n 't realize what a horrible thing it meant. 

Braddock : Advance ! [All that are left step to near right 
entrance, keeping in perfect step and line.] Halt! 
[They halt.] Ready now — once more — kneel — aim — fire! 

[They fire. Braddock throws up his arms, screams, and 
falls. Fourth Soldier also falls. Sixth Soldier 
runs off right. Washington kneels by Braddock, 
gives him hrandy, examines wound, etc. Sixth Sol- 
dier finally re-enters right, hringing an Indian as 
prisoner. His hands are tied behind him. Polly 
steps up to them.] 

Polly [to Sixth Soldier] : If you please, Mr. Soldier, isn't 
that lieutenant's name George Washington? 

SiXTPi Soldier: Of course! Is it possible there is anybody 
in America — or even in the world — who doesn't know 
George Washington ? Don 't you go to school ? 

Polly : Yes ; of course I go to school. But, don 't you know, 
history 's awfully hard ! 

Sixth Soldier : If it is so hard for you to study it, what do 
you think it can be for us to live it ? 

Polly : Oh, I begin to see a little of it now. It is terrible — 
terrible, and — so dreadfully real, don't you know ! 

Sixth Soldier [scornfidly] : Real? 

Polly [shuddering, and nodding assent] : I was so afraid 
Washington would get shot ! 

Indian [pointing to Washington, excitedly]: He? He? 
White war chief ? [V01A.Y nods.] Ugh! He bewitched 
man. Big Indian 'f raid he ! Big Indian aim at he three, 



12 POLLY IN HISTORY-LAND 

— four, — five times ! — No hit ! [Shakes head.] The Great 
Spirit save he ! Ugh ! 
Sixth Soldier : Yes, indeed, Mr. Red Man. The Great 
Spirit has a mighty work for him to do ; and though you 
had aimed at him an hundred times, — a,ye, and ten times 
an hundred times, — all of your bullets must have gone 
wide of the mark. 
[Indian stares at Washington in amazement and terror. 

Then drops to knees in fear, shaking.] 
Indian : Me good Indian ! Ugh ! very good Indian ! No want 
hurt pale-face War Chief ! 
[Polly walks and stands behind Washington. He still 

bends over Braddock, but raises his right hand in 

appeal to heaven and looks up. Polly kneels. All 

hold position while curtain falls.] 

Scene II: A Camp. 

Tent in backgrotmd, — old and worn. Six soldiers, very 
ragged and pale, are grouped in center. All should be 
barefoot, or nearly so. General Washington ivalks 
about, restlessly, as if thinking deeply. Sentry patrols 
across back of stage at regular intervals. Washington 
pauses, and looks at each in turn. 

Washington [pityingly] : Can we hold out a few days more, 
my brave men ? 

Polly enters Left, and listens. 

First Soldier [rubbing sore foot] : So long as this foot lasts. 
General, you may know that I shall be at my post. 

Second Soldier: If you do not freeze or starve! [First 
Soldier 7iods sadly.] 

Washington: Ah, my brave men, I do not need to tell you 
how deeply I sympathize with you in the hardships you 
have undergone, nor how greatly I honor you all for the 



POLLY IN HISTORY-LAND 13 

bravery, forbearance, and patriotism you have shown. I 
have written to Congress a second petition, and, if relief 
is not speedy, there is nothing for us to do but to dissolve. 

[Boivs head, and goes to right entrance, shading eyes, 
and looking off to right.] 

Third Soldier [aside] : Always the same fearless general 

who crossed the Delaware ! 
Fourth Soldier-. Aye — a hundred such rivers, with ten 

times the difficulties, would never keep him from his goal. 

[All shake heads etnphatically , looking at Washington 
with reverence and love.] 

Polly : This must surely be Valley Forge we studied about 
last week. Oh, those poor, poor men ! How I wish I 
could feed and dress them all, and warm them up by our 
big coal fire ! 

[Fifth Soldier begins to whistle ^'Yankee Doodle.'' 
After one stanza, WxVShington walks to him and 
lays hand on his shoidder.] 

Washington : That 's right, my brave fellow. Keep up your 

courage ! 
Polly : How good he is to them ! — just as I 've always read 

that he was ! How they must love him ! 

[Bugle call off right. All rise stiffly, and as if in much 
pain, with difficidty falling into line.] 

Washington : Ready ! — March ! 

[All start to march off right, very slowly, limping, etc.] 

Polly : It 's easy enough to see why they always say of him, 
"First in War." 

[Starts off left, slowly, thinking, as curtain falls.] 



14 POLLY IN HISTORY-LAND 

Scene III : A Plain Room. 

Six or more soldiers sit around stage, looking off at either 
side, occasionally, as though expecting someone. Polly 
enters from near front, and watches them with puzzled 
expression. 

Second Soldier: Ah, but it will be sad to say the parting 

word to our beloved general. He has fought with us, 

rode with us, and — 
First Soldier [interrupting] : Starved with us! [All nod.] 
Second Soldier : Yes — yes ! He has been almost a father 

to us all for so long. Would we could be his soldiers 

forever ! 
Third Soldier : It will be sad for him, also ! 
Fourth Soldier : Aye, more so than we will ever know ! 
Fifth Soldier : He is not one to show his heart to anyone ! 
Sixth Soldier-. And yet we have always known how noble, 

how true, and how great a heart it is, and how large a 

place his soldiers hold in it ! 
All [tenderly]: True! 
Fourth Soldier: 'Sh! He is coming. 

[All rise and remain standing in respectful attitudes as 
Washington enters from hack. He pauses a moment, 
looking sadly at each in turn, then speaks with 
husky voice.] 

Washington: ''With a heart full of love and gratitude, I 
must now take my leave of you. I most devoutly wish 
that your latter days may be as prosperous and happy as 
your former ones have been glorious and honorable. I 
cannot come to each of you to take my leave, but shall be 
obliged to you if each of you will come and take me by 
the hand." — (Washington's exact words.) 

[The one nearest to him turns to him. Washington 
takes his hand and embraces him tearfully. Each 



POLLY IN HISTORY-LAND 15 

one in turn does the same, Washington showing the 
same sorrow and ajfection for each. He then starts 
out, hut, passing hy Polly, sees her, pauses, and lays 
his hand on her head.] 

Well, little girl, who are you? 

Polly [bewildered] : Please, sir, I 'm just — just — just — 
Polly ! 

Washington : And how did you come here ? 

Polly : I — I — don't know, sir! 

Washington: Do you know who I am? 

Polly : Oh, yes, sir ! You are General Washington ! I 've 
read all about you in my history, you see, and I 've 
seen you lots of times just lately, it seems to me. 

Washington [smiling, hut astonished] : Seen me? — in pic- 
tures, I suppose. 

I* oIjIjY [puzzled] : No — yes — I' don't know! . 

Washington : Well, never mind where ! You won 't forget 
me, will you? [Shakes hands with her.] 

Polly [emphatically]: No, sir ! never, never again ! Never! 

[Washington smiles at her vehemence, and lays hand 
indulgently upon her head. Then he turns, waves 
hand again to Soldiers in farewell. They how very 
low as he passes out and curtain falls.] 



ACT III— IN OFFICE 

Scene I: A Balcony. 

Easily arranged hy having a raised platform, or large box 
at hack of stage draped with the American flag. On it 
is a center table, holding a crimson cushion, upon which 
rests an elegant Bible. 

Enter Polly from near front, looking all around. 

Polly : Well, where am I now ? Dear me ! what grand and 
wonderful things I am seeing nearly all the time now ! 
I wonder if I '11 ever get back to my home and school 
again. This must be History-Land, for everything looks 
just like j)ictures I 've seen in my history ; and, somehow, 
what they all say sounds like it, too. There come a lot 
of men now, but I don't see Washington this time. I '11 
just listen to what they are talking about and see if I 
can find out where he is. 

Enter Six Men in civilian attire, three from right, and 
three from left. They form columns at each side, 
one behind the other, but a little bit out at right or 
left, so as to be in fidl view of audience. 

Then enters Livingston from center, and stands between 
columns at left of table, looking at them. 

First Citizen : It must be very near time for the ceremony. 
Soon we shall have a president — a president who knows, 
because he has proved, that ''all men are born free and 
equal" — a president who is grand and noble and true, 
and all that a president should be. 

Fifth Citizen [from opposite side] : Yes, indeed, it is well 
that he who was ''first in war" should also be "first in 

16 



POLLY IN HISTORY-LAND 17 

peace," for he always must be ''first in the hearts of his 

countrymen. ' ' 
Third Citizen : Aye, God is always with him. What a pity 

it is that he has no children to follow in his footsteps. 
Fourth Citizen : Nay, not so ! God left him childless that 

he might be the ''Father of His Country." 

[All how heads reverently as Washington enters slowly, 
at center, and stands on right side of table. He hows 
to them also, — very low, with hand on heart. Then 
with a glance at Livingston, who opens the Bihle, 
lays his hand upon the hook.] 

Livingston [reads] : "Do you now solemnly affirm, in the 
presence of these witnesses, and in the sight of Almighty 
God, that you will perform the duties of the office to 
which you are now elected, according to the best of your 
ability and knowledge, and will endeavor to so regulate 
your conduct and that of your people as shall be in per- 
fect accordance with the will of Almighty God and with 
the Constitution of the United States?" 

Washington [raising hand to heaven and looking up]-. I 
swear, so help me God! 

[All sing "America" as curtain falls.] 

Scene II : A Hall. 

Potted plants here and there. Four couples arranged for 
minuet, Washington leading witR a lady, followed hy 
Lafayette and Martha Washington. All are laugh- 
ing as curtain rises. 

Polly enters Center. 

Polly : Oh, dear me, where am I now ? What a fine crowd ! 
I 'm not dressed fit to be seen, I 'm sure. But I am going 
to watch them. There 's Washington — and there 's 
Martha Washington, too ! — just as though she had stepped 



18 POLLY IN HISTORY-LAND 

right out of her picture frame for a dance. I wish all 

the ladies I know would dress that way all the time. 

And — oh, my ! that is Lafayette with her, I know ! How 

fine he is! [Minuet is danced, Polly watchi7ig.] 

Polly [clapping hands]: Wasn't that fine? Why don't 

people always dance that Avay, instead of whirling and 

bobbing around the way Sister does? 
Martha Washington [coming to her] : Why, here 's a nice 

little girl. Who are you, my dear? 

[The others talk together and langh, not noticing ]\Irs. 
Washington and Polly.] 

Polly : Why, I 'm— I 'm— Polly ! 

Martha Washington: Polly who? 

Polly [trying to think] : Polly — Poll}^ — Polly — why, I de- 
clare I 've forgotten who I am. Everything seems so 
strange to me. Guess I must be just plain Polly. 

Martha Washington: You don't look so plain, dear, but 
you do look dazed. Would n 't you like to dance ? 

Polly : Oh, would n 't I, though ! But, you see, I don 't know 
how. And besides I 'm not dressed fine enough. 

Martha Washington: Why, I think you look very nice — ■ 
yes, I do, child — and I am sure the President will be glad 
to show you the steps. 

Polly: The President? — AVashington? Oh, no, no! He 
wouldn't want to be bothered with a little girl like me. 

Martha Washington: Oh, you don't know the President 
yet. He is not only the bravest man who ever lived, but 
also the most courteous gentleman, with the biggest, kind- 
est heart in the whole world ! And he loves all amusement 
and recreation so much — especially the dance. [Calls.] 
Mr. President ! 

[Washington hows low to the gronp, making his excnses 
for leaving them, and crosses to Martha and Polly, 
howing low to them, his hand on heart.] 



POLLY IN HISTORY-LAND 19 

Here is a little girl, Mr. President, who would like to 
learn to dance the minuet. I am sure, Your Excellency, 
that you will be glad to teach her. 
Washington: I shall be delighted, I am sure. Come on, 
little lady — this way, now ! 

[Takes her hand, and they dance a few minuet figures. 
All joining in, with a few stately steps, as curtain 
falls.] 

Scene III : A Banquet Hall. 

Table set for eight. Those of previous scene, except Wash- 
ington's minuet partner, seated at table. Martha 
Washington and Lafayette at foot; a chair beside 
Washington vacant. Washington at head. 

Polly enters, and All look up. 

Washington : Ah, there 's my little partner of the ball. She 
must sit down with us and make our number complete. 

[Rises, bows low to Polly, and then, taking the tips of 
her fingers, escorts her to the vacant chair. All have 
risen with Washington and stand behind their 
chairs, with old-fashioned courtesy.] 

Ladies and gentlemen — my partner! [All bow low to 
Polly.] Little lady — my friends! 

[Polly attempts to bow to each in turn; is much embar- 
rassed. Thenhiji^ sit.] 

Polly : If you please, sir — I mean, Mr. President ! 
Washington: Well, what is it? You mustn't be afraid 

of me. 
Polly : I 'm not exactly afraid — not of you, anyway — but — 

where am I? 
Washington: In the Executive Mansion, my dear child. 
Polly [amazed] : The White House? 



20 POLLY IN HISTOEY-LAND 

Washington [nods assent] : And at a banquet table ! 

]\LvRTHA Washington [smiling at Polly] : This is the Presi- 
dent's farewell dinner, you know, Poll^. We are to 
leave all this grandeur and luxury now, and go back tc 
our quiet home at INIount Vernon. 

Polly : Oh, my ! are n 't you sorry ? 

Martha Washington : Oh, no ! I shall be glad to have the 
President all to myself again. But he will not be Presi- 
dent then! 

Washington: No — just plain George Washington. 

A Lady: But always "First in the hearts of his coun- 
trymen ! ' ' 

Lafayette: And the "Father of His Country.'* 

Washington [bowing his thanks to hoth speakers, and then 
rising, glass in hand] : Ladies and gentlemen, this is the 
last time that I shall drink your health as a public man. 
I do it with sincerity, wishing you all possible happiness. 
(Washington's exact words.) 

[All rise, sadly, and drink the toast silently. Then sing 
softly the last stanza of ^'America'' as curtain falls.] 



ACT IV— IN PRIVATE LIFE 

Scene I: A Garden. 

Washington sits in rustic chair reading hook. Polly enters, 
and walks up to him. He lays his hook aside and hows 
politely. 

Washington : Well, if here is n 't my wondering little friend 
again, as full of curiosity as ever! And what do you 
think of Mount Vernon, my child? 

Polly : Oh, it is lovely ! Everything is just lovely — but — I 
can 't find my way out ; and I 'd like to see my mamma 
and my teacher again. I don't even know where my 
home is. I 'm lost, I guess. 

Washington : Never mind. It 's easy enough to be lost in 
History-Land — eh, my dear? But still, when you once 
learn the right way to search for it, nothing in History 
is really hard to find. ''History repeats itself," you 
know. 

Polly : It never did for me. I used to wish it would, though, 
for some of it was always so hard for me to repeat. But 
is this really History? 

Washington : Something like it, is n 't it ? But, pardon me, 
I was forgetting that you don 't like history, was n 't I ? 

Polly [surprised] : Why, how did you know? 

Washington [smiling quizzically] : Oh, I know a great many 
things besides history ! 

Polly : Anyway, I '11 always like history after this — I 'm 
sure I shall! 

Washington : That 's right ! I hope you will. And now, 
to help you still more to remember me in times to come, 
sit down beside me for awhile. My days on earth are 
drawing to a close. I have, at the most, only a few of 

21 



22 POLLY IN HISTORY-LAND 

them left, and I would like, before I go, to give you a few 
good rules to remember all your life and to model your 
daily conduct by, so that you may feel, at the close of 
your life, that you have lived your time as profitably 
and wisely as I have tried to live mine. Will you listen ? 

Polly [sits at his feet] : Of course, I will, sir. And I thank 
you so much for taking so much time and trouble for 
just poor little me. I shall be glad — very glad — to do 
as you say ! 

"Washington : That 's a good child. These rules are what I 
call ''Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour in Com- 
pany." Did you never hear of them? 

Polly : Oh, yes — yes — why, my teacher — 

Washington [holding up his hand to stop her] : Very well, 
then. You seem to be such a well-mannered little girl 
that I am sure you will try to remember and practice 
them. 

Polly: Indeed, I will, sir! Why, my mamma says that — 

Washington [holding np hand again]: Yes, yes, I know! 
In the first place, Polly, don't you think you may be a 
little bit vain of your clothes? 

Polly [timidly] : Why, I 'm not dressed a bit fine or elegant, 
am 1 1 

Washington : No, but you 'd like to be, would n 't you ? 
[Polly hangs head.] Listen: ''In your apparel be 
modest, and endeavor to accommodate nature, rather 
than procure admiration. Keep to the fashions of your 
equals, such as are civil and orderly, with respect to time 
and place." 

Polly [looking down at her shoes and stockings and smoothing 
her apron carefully] : I am sure, sir, I — 

Washington [shaking finger at her playfidly] : And again: 
"Play not the peacock, looking everywhere about you 
to see if you be well-decked, if your shoes fit well, if your 
stockings set neatly, and clothes handsomely." 



POLLY IN HISTORY-LAND 23 

Polly: But don't you think, sir, that — 

Washington [warningly] : "Speak not when others speak, 

sit not when others stand, and walk not when others stop. " 

[Polly hangs head.] And do you have a great many 

friends, child? 
Polly: Oh, yes, sir! I do like lots of friends! 
Washington : Well, ' ' Be courteous to all, but intimate with 

few ; and let that few be well chosen before you give them 

your confidence." 
Polly : I will remember, sir ; and that horrid Grace Jackson 

needn't try to stick herself along with me, either! 
Washington : ' ' Speak no evil of the absent, for it is unjust. ' ' 
Polly : But, really, sir, they say that she is — that she really — 
Washington : "Be not hasty to believe flying reports to the 

disparagement of anyone." 
Polly : But she has been so mean to me, and when the teacher 

had to punish her for whispering, I was just as glad of 

it as I could be, and — and — 
Washington : ' ' Show not yourself glad at the misfortune of 

another, though he were your enemy." 

[Polly hangs head, begins to hum to herself, as if hored, 
and taps with her foot on the floor, drumming on 
the seat with her fingers.] 

"In the presence of others, sing not to yourself with a 

humming voice, nor drum with jour fingers or feet." 

[Polly laughs.] "Let your countenance be pleasant but, 

in serious matters, somewhat grave." 
Polly : Thank you, sir. I '11 try and remember, and never 

slight any of "Washington's Maxims" again. 
Washington: I am sure you will not. There are fifty-four 

of them, you know, but I will not worry you with any 

more just now. But, child, as we part let me entreat 

you to "Labor to keep ever alive in your breast that 

little spark of celestial fire, called conscience. ' ' 

[He rises, and she jumps up at once.] 



24 POLLY IN HISTORY-LAND 

Polly [repeating as if hy rote]: "Sit not when others 
stand." 

[Washington smiles and lays his hand on her head, and 
she looks up at him reverently, as curtain falls.] 

Scene II: Washington's Tomb. 

A representation of Washington's tomb in the background. 
This is easily made of pasteboard and bunting. A soldier 
on guard patrols just back of it. Bell tolls of right. 
Polly enters Left. 
Polly: Oh, it is a grave— and that is surely a figure of 
Washington. Can it be Washington's tomb? I '11 ask. 
[To Sentry.] Is this where Washington is buried? 
Sentry [saluting] : Yes, Miss, here "he sleeps beneath the 
willows, first in peace, and first in war." 
[Polly stands, looking at it sadly. After a long pause 
she turns to face left and buries face in handkerchief, 
while a quartet behi7id scenes sings, from "Mount 
Vernon Bells'''':] 

Long ago the warrior slumbered — 

Our country's Father slept; 
Long among the angels numbered — 

They the hero's soul have kept. 
But the children's children love him, 

And his name revere; 
So, where Avillows wave above him, 

Sweetly still his knell you hear. 

Chorus : 

Tolling and knelling. 

With a sad, sweet sound. 
O'er the waves the tones are swelling, 
By Mount Vernon's sacred ground. 

[Polly turns, and shakes hands with the Sentry, then 
speaks to him.] 



*Music for this may be found in New-Common School Song Book, 
40 cents. 



POLLY IN HISTORY-LAND 25 

Polly [to Sentry — speaks or sings, as preferred] : 

Tell, while sweet adieux are swelling, 

Till I come again, 
He within the hearts is dwelling 

Of his loving countrymen. 

[She passes off slowly to left, while concealed quartet 
repeats the chorus softly, and curtain falls.] 

Scene III : Same as Scene I, in Act I. 

Polly enters Right. Looks all around amazed. 

Polly : \Vell, for goodness sake ! Here I am at home again, 
at last. And everything looks just as natural as can be. 
But how I ever got here, I am sure I don't know! 
Though, for that matter, how I ever got away 
from here, I'm sure I don't know! Anyway, I'm 
just as tired as I can be— tired half to death! 
And if here isn't my dear old history, just where 
I must have laid it down ! How could I ever have fancied 
it wasn't real and interesting? Dear old Washington! 
He '11 always be alive to me after this, and how I shall 
love him ! I wish all the other children in my grade could 
have been with me. Sometime I '11 go to all those lovely 
places again, if I can find the way, and maybe I '11 take 
some of my friends along— Alice, and Maud, and Mabel, 
and— oh, yes, Grace Jackson, too ! But I 'm so tired now. 
I must lie down and rest. I can't stay on my feet a 
moment longer. [Lies on sofa and yawns, finally going 
to sleep.] 
Fancy [ente7^ing softly] : 

Now, little girl, awake once more 

To the old life you lived before; 

Those dreams I gave for Plistory's sake,— 

But now, my child, awake ! awake ! 



26 POLLY IN HISTORY-LAND 

[Fancy disappears quickly, and Polly wakes, sits up, 
ruhs eyes.] 

Polly : Dear me! Why, have I been asleep? I must have 
been dreaming, then, all this long, lovely time ! Is n 't it 
too bad that all those fine times I had were just in a 
dream after all ? Dear me ! Dear me ! and how real 
they were to me ! Well, anyway, I can always remember 
them. There 's some comfort in that! And where 's my 
history? That will be the dearest study I have now — 
I 'm sure it will — for this dream has surely made me 
realize how real all those things were when people lived 
them. And as for Washington ! — ah, no one now can 
be any happier than I to honor him and his glorious 
memor}^ on this best day of all the year — Washington's 
Birthday ! [Reads history.] 

CURTAIN 



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